Engine builders...this machining cost sound excessive?

Must be a difference in location, just took my 1967 318 block to a guy that builds dirt track cars, bored 030, put all new freeze plugs and polished the crank, had it 2 weeks , $400 , some of the prices quoted seem to think its fair, my question would be ,is why you can buy a short block for $800 to $1200 ?